Biographical Sketch of Dr. Betty L. Battenfield
August 11, 1926 – January 16, 2025
Betty Lee Burton was born in Baptist Hospital, Houston, Texas to Handley Bowles and Bessie Halstead Burton on August 11, 1926. Mrs. Burton’s occupation was housewife and Mr. Burton’s was bookkeeper.
In the 1940 U.S. Census, Betty had completed 7th grade, elementary school. “After graduating from high school in Texas, she went straight into nursing school at Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. It was wartime, and she served in the Cadet Corps for nurses, graduating in 1946 with an Associate Degree in Nursing.”1 “The war ended; thus, she did not enter the military. She continued her education, graduating from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in science of nursing in 1947.”2 That same year James R. Battenfield (Bob) and she were married on August 20 in Houston. Betty continued to work in medical clinics, in hospital obstetrics, and general medical-surgical units.
The 1950 census shows Bob and Betty in Houston where her occupation was registered nurse. They had one son, Frantz. In 1958 she, her husband, and three children moved to a farm near Elkins, Arkansas. She worked for one year at Fayetteville City Hospital, then taught 2nd grade at Elkins school for two years…at the same time completing a master’s degree in education.
“Nine Graduate From Practical Nurses School…Betty L. Battenfield, R.N., school director, awarded diplomas.”3 While working at City Hospital,she taught a medication course to nurses’ aides who planned to be “grandfathered” into the new Practical Nurse program located on City Hospital grounds in the old laundry building. She soon accepted a position as an instructor and later became the Head of the school. A position she held for eight years.
In 1969 “City Woman To Head UA Nursing Program…The appointment of Mrs. Betty Battenfield as chairman of the new associate degree in nursing program at the University of Arkansas was announced today by Dean Elois Field of the School of Nursing at Little Rock.”4 As chairman at the University of Arkansas, Betty also completed the Master of Nursing degree at Wichita State University and the Doctor of Education Degree at the University of Arkansas.
“Students End Work Toward Nursing Degree…Mrs. Betty Battenfield, chairman of the Associate Degree program and other instructors were presented with bandage scissors with their names engraved on them from the class.”5 For 22 years, more than eleven hundred students graduated to become licensed as Registered Nurses (R.N.) under her tutelage. Her Nursing faculty developed a Baccalaureate Degree Curriculum in anticipation of the 1990 University’s approval of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
“Nurses To Check Pressure…Betty Battenfield of Fayetteville, president of the District 14 Nurses Association, said this weekend’s screenings will be held in ten sites in Washington County.”6 During her career, Dr. Battenfield was actively engaged in professional organizations: District Arkansas Nurses Association, President for 2 terms, serving on their board for 8 Years and as a delegate to its National Convention; National League for Nurses Board of Governors and Chairman of the Associate Degree Nursing Council; and Chairman of the National ADN Board of Review for Accreditation, was an Accreditation Visitor, and curriculum and clinical evaluation consultant. Betty presented workshops on Nursing education and was often a conference speaker at out-of-state professional meetings.
Dr. Battenfield served as a consultant to, and on inspection teams for regional and national accreditation organizations. Her Nursing Honors include Life Honorary Membership in Sigma Theta Tau, Honorary membership in Phi Delta Kappa; and Honorary Member in American Vocational Association.
Dr. Betty “Battenfield led the U of A nursing program from its inception in 1969 until her retirement in 1991.”7 After retirement Betty Battenfield served on the Ozark Literacy Council for ten years, was President of its Board one term and taught English as a Second Language. She was a volunteer at the Fayetteville City Hospital Auxiliary resale shop (The Attic) for more than 20 Years and President of its board 5 times. Always interested in her church, she taught Sunday School about 40 years, served on 20 Mission trips in six different countries and was the District President for The United Methodist Women several times.
Dr. Betty “Battenfield began volunteering with the Arkansas Country Doctor Museum in Lincoln, Arkansas in 1994, working with Dr. Joe B Hall and Dr. Mitch Singleton to research, conduct oral history interviews and gather information on old country doctors for possible induction into the museum’s Hall of Honor.”8 After completing her goal of inducting a doctor from each of Arkansas’ 75 counties into the Hall of Honor in November, 2020, Betty retired from volunteering at the Museum, but continued her efforts at The Attic, working side by side with her beloved nurse volunteers until shortly before her passing.
1 Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Our Town, “Distinguished Citizens
honored at Sunday luncheon”, October 2, 2014
2 Westfield Funeral Home, March 25, 2025
3 Northwest Arkansas Times (Fayetteville, Arkansas), April 18, 1966, p.8
4 Northwest Arkansas Times (Fayetteville, Arkansas), Aug. 26, 1969, p.2
5 Northwest Arkansas Times (Fayetteville, Arkansas), Dec. 17, 1973, p.6
6 Northwest Arkansas Times (Fayetteville, Arkansas), Mar. 20, 1975, p.5
7 University of Arkansas NEWS (Fayetteville, Arkansas), Feb. 26, 2025
8 Arkansas Democrat Gazette, op. cit
Biographical sketch furnished by the family of Dr. Betty Battenfield
and John T. Mitchell